As I stepped out of the vibrant party hall, a rush of cool night air greeted me, carrying with it the distant echoes of laughter and music. The sight outside was a stark contrast to the pulsating energy within—people danced under the luminescent glow of string lights, laughter intermingling with the soft strains of music. Couples shared stolen moments of intimacy, lost in the euphoria of the night.Huffing in mild exasperation, I navigated through the jubilant crowd, my gaze sweeping over the scene of revelry. Seeing others lost in embraces and kisses heightened my sense of detachment. While the atmosphere buzzed with celebration, I yearned for solitude, a reprieve from the clamor of the festivity.Seeking solace in the quieter, darker side of the valley, I wandered away from the lively throng, my steps guided by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees. In this tranquil haven, I found refuge, a space to dwell in my thoughts undisturbed.As I settled in this serene sol
Stranger? I mused sardonically. Strangers indeed. I huffed and looked away from him as he leaned against the same wall where I sought solace, a perplexing silence settling between us, punctuated only by the faint whispers of the night breeze. The air crackled with unspoken words, the weight of the recent events lingering palpably.His unexpected presence ignited a tumult of conflicting thoughts within me. What was he doing here, standing beside me, when he should have been immersed in the realm of his chosen mate or comforting his grieving girlfriend? The intricacies of his life, entangled in relationships I didn't fully comprehend, stirred a simmering curiosity within me, even though I had no intention of voicing them out. It was best we remained in no speaking terms.As I stole a glance at him, his profile bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, a myriad of questions swirled within my mind. The enigma of Adam's presence beside me in this moment of turmoil and vulnerability tugged at
Adam’s words hung in the air, laden with an unspoken challenge, a line drawn in the sand. The gravity of his ultimatum reverberated through the silence, sending a jolt of apprehension coursing through me.Conflicting emotions surged within me—fear, uncertainty, and a tinge of indignation at the sudden intensity of the situation. His unexpected proposition caught me off guard, my thoughts spiraling in disarray as I grappled with the significance of his words.He would kiss me?Caught between the walls of silence and the impending threat of an unwanted advance, I stood frozen, my mind racing with a tumult of emotions. The weight of his demand bore down on me, a choice looming between breaking my silence or facing an unwelcome gesture.He wouldn’t dare!Ignoring my blaring alarming bells, I scoffed, and tried to get away from him-wondering later why I had done this, if maybe a little part of me had wanted him to rise to his challenge.Adam effortlessly drew me back with just one hand int
The resemblance in the faces of Daniel and Adam, when they were delivered an insulting blow was strong and comical. Adam was looking at me like I had punched his gut. It took him a full minute to recover from the punch. By that time, I had already taken two steps backward, my eyes darting to the lightened entrance in case I needed to make a head run away from this monster, in case he decided to get physical. He didn’t. “Why did you say that? Are you calling me a shit?” He asked rather, still looking perplexed. I was sure he wasn’t accustomed to being dissed by a girl.“At least you aren’t dumb.” I muttered, aware that he could hear me. “As I mentioned before, I don’t have the time for a chit chat. But if you are looking for someone to warm your bed tonight, then find someone else. Although, I will suggest you freshen up your mouth first, it smells like fish and garlic. Not a good combo if you ask me.” I stated nonchalantly, folding my arms across my chest, a smirk threatening to
As I glimpsed the familiar figures in the distance, a rush of adrenaline flooded my veins, setting my heart pounding against my ribcage. My breath hitched, catching in my throat as an unmistakable wave of panic surged within me. It was them—my other tormentors, approaching from afar.My muscles tensed involuntarily, and my mind raced with memories of the torment they had inflicted upon me, the scars both visible and hidden. The air felt thinner, suffocating me as I grappled with the sudden onslaught of fear and distress. Every nerve in my body seemed to vibrate with an alarming urgency, warning me of the impending confrontation.My hands trembled, and a cold sweat formed on my brow despite the mild night breeze that whispered through the trees. I fought to control the rising tide of panic, but it was an uphill battle, a war against the haunting memories and the raw emotions they evoked.I desperately sought an escape, my instincts urging me to flee, to hide from the impending confro
Adam“As much as her fire and sassiness turns me on, I don’t understand her one bit. Why was she crying?” I heard my brother, Daniel ask, and sighed. She baffled me. Dora. Was that even her real name? The name sounded like something that had been made up out of whim. I could bet ten percent of my inheritance that the name was fake. It wasn't her name, and it only made me more curious. “Adam..” Noah called me. I turned and stared at him, wondering why he and Daniel were even here. Shouldn’t they be finding more girls to go to bed with? What am I even thinking? Why wasn’t I happy that they were here? Why wasn’t I happy when they had called Dora a slut? I had laughed to get on with it, but deep within, I just wanted to chase them away. I just wanted to take Dora to the secret cave and unravel her. I shut my eyes as I remembered the last girl I had taken there, the girl that had disappeared without a trace. I shook my head. I refused to dwell on that. “Adam, your mind isn’t even he
Adam.I stood at the entrance of the hall that had been chosen for this unnecessary event, my gaze sweeping across the extravagant décor that adorned every corner. The ostentatious display was a testament to the lavishness that my father had spared no expense to achieve, a grand gesture intended to curry favor with the Queen. Intricately carved pillars adorned with gilded accents soared towards the ornate ceiling, shimmering under the golden hue of chandeliers that hung like beacons of indulgence. Every surface gleamed with meticulous polish, reflecting the wealth that had been poured into crafting this spectacle of grandeur.My jaw tightened as I surveyed the ostentatious tapestries, each woven with threads spun from the finest silks money could buy, depicting tales of heroism and triumphs of our lineage. The exorbitant amount spent on each piece was a testament to my father's relentless pursuit of the Queen's favor, a desperate bid to secure alliances and sway her opinion in our f
Maya.Looking dejected at my phone, I flung it to the other side of the twin bed; It had no sightings that I was interested in seeing. Well, I was too disturbed to use the phone properly. Peter had bought it for me a few days ago. He had also gotten me a job at one of the big stores. Wheew. I couldn’t wait to get back to the job. Maybe if I was working, my mind wouldn’t be thinking of what had happened last night. From the miniature kiss to the brashiness of Adam, to the presence of his other two brothers. I shook my head, and stretched my hand toward the makeshift table for the drug. Picking up the container, I gasped when I noticed that just one pill was remaining. What? Had I consumed the hard work of Laura in just a few hours, last night? I bit my lips, feeling my wretchedness and wickedness seeping through my pores. She would go berserk when she heard of this. She would go more berserk in wanting to know what had instigated me to consume the pills like sweets. Signing, I s
At my question about the Queen’s vigilante beasts, Laura jerked and glanced at Peter, who in turn looked at Diana before finally landing his gaze on me. “How do you know about the beasts?”He asked, his tone taking a stern quality.I knew that it was on the tip of his tongue to ask if I had seen them, but then that was impossible, so he didn’t. Yet, it showed that Peter assumed anything was possible when it came to me, showed that I had a penchant for being at places or doing things quite spectacular. I could read that at least in his eyes.“Levina told me all about it when we had left the school’s premises. According to her, the beasts are being deployed as vigilantes in the community. Have any of you seen them?”Laura shook her head. “Levina must have told you that already. So, I don’t know why you would ask that…” She paused, probably seeing the slanting of my mouth in a smirk. “Quench that curiosity, Maya. Nothing good will come out of it this time around. The beasts aren’t Pro
Peter and Laura had said nothing when I came into the house, choosing only to stare at me or rather to peruse my entire self as if looking for hurt on my body. Their eyes had been like lasers, scrutinizing every inch of me as if they could see through my skin to the very core of my being. I had offered them a tentative greeting and shifted uneasily on my feet, feeling like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Finally, Laura had broken the silence. “Go and freshen up, and take dinner. We can talk later.”Relief had flooded through me, though I knew it was only temporary. I had taken my time in the bath, letting the hot water soothe my nerves and wash away the grime and stress of the day. Each minute spent under the warm spray was another minute delaying the inevitable scolding. I had lingered even longer at dinner, chewing each bite slowly and deliberately, trying to stretch the meal as far as I could. But eventually, the plate was empty, and I could no longer delay.N
Expectation?I didn’t really have one for her, only that she stays true to herself and to me, just as Naomi had done.At least I had a new friend. Hopefully it will be enough to convince Laura to sleep tonight without scolding me. I was sure that the news of today had reached her ears. Peter’s too. “Thanks so much, Levina. You are a lifesaver.” I finally responded, piquing my eyebrows when she chuckled at my statement, when she loosened my hands from her waist, and turned aside to look at me. “I think there is a misplacement of some sorts. You are the lifesaver, Dora. It is because of you that I will be able to have a better school and social life; my life actually as a whole. I should be the one showing the appreciation.” She said with a beautiful laugh, her eyes sparkling under the board of moonlight, a sharp contrast to the first time I had actually noticed her. In the cafeteria, her eyes had been empty, totally void of feelings. She had been totally lost. I felt happy again th
It took me three hours to finish detention. Three hours of trying to fight my worst fears. Three hours spent cursing professor Bulock. How could such a cruel thing be used as detention? How could such a cruel method be utilized? I remembered his last words to me in class this morning, his last words that had sent a chill down my back. ‘No way for her to learn about our ways, for her to learn about respect and discipline in class if not through that.’ ‘That’ meaning detention. It would explain the reason why I had been the only one in detention. No one wanted their worst fears thrown at them. No wonder the sheer decorum in school.The bullying had only continued because of who the bully was. But I was sure that Rachel would repent if she was subjected to her fears. Three hours of living with them, and I knew that I wouldn’t disrespect Professor Bulock in his class again, so far as he let me be too. You are still giving conditions? My mind taunted me and I shrugged my shoulders.
I should be in the classroom reserved for detention but I was back at the bleak place again. That place thrummed with filth and despair, just like before.I sighed when a woman's despairing cry echoed in my soul, tearing at me, reprimanding me, drawing me back from the edge of a great precipice. Had I fallen asleep during detention?It was just as before.Every cell in my body craved food and something else, something I could lay my finger on, mostly because I had rehearsed the dream by now. Blood.The hunger raked at me with merciless claws until a red haze covered my sight and my pulse hammered with the need for immediate sustenance. Desperate, I scanned the area above my resting place for the presence of enemies and, finding none, burst through the rich layers of soil, into the air, my heart thundering in my ears, my mind screaming. I landed in a crouch in the midst of dense shrubbery and thick vegetation, and took a slow, careful look around me, not in the least concerned abo
It was the last class of the day, and I was counting down the minutes to the clinging of the dismissal bell. Five minutes to go. I thought giddily, throwing a glance at my watch. I was deathly hungry. After I had left the principal’s office, there had been no time to get to the cafeteria. I had returned to class hungry. It became crazier whenever I remembered the detention—a delay to having Laura’s food. “Well, it seems someone is in a hurry to go somewhere.” I withheld a visible flinch, somehow knowing that the lady lecturing us on magic and music was talking about me. I expected a frown on her face, but I saw a smile on her lips rather; a soft smile, as if I reminded her of someone interesting, someone that she cared about. I forced a smile on my lips too, and hers widened. She shook her head, and gathered her supplies on the table. “I will see you all on Thursday. Make sure to get your assignment ready by then. No excuses.” Assignment? She had given an assignment? I felt m
When we got to the principal’s office, he was in a meeting with someone, and so we had to wait by the door till he was done. We waited for about fifteen minutes before the door opened and Prof. Bulock stepped out of the office. When he saw I and Levina, a still milk-soaked Levina, he piqued his eyebrows, keeping his steely gaze on me. “What did you do to sweet Levina? What did you do this time around?” I snorted. “Does it look like I did anything to her? If your mind was free from prejudice as it should be, you would have noticed that. You would have noticed too, that I was her ally and not a foe. So much for the magic you claim to have for observation. Now, if you will excuse us, Prof Bulock, we have to see Mr Lethon.”Professor Bulock was standing right at the entrance, and his hand clutched the knob tight. Still, he was lucky I had held back from putting the emphasis on the right syllable in his name that would highlight a castrated cow. I wondered what he would do if I ever
“How long has this been happening?” I asked Sinclair immediately we left the cafeteria, enroute to the principal’s office. Levina has refused to say a word since we left, but that was okay. People reacted to situations differently. If I would take a bet, she was contemplating her father’s reaction when he finally heard the news. There was a minute silence, during which I inhaled the strength to shout at him if he chose not to talk about this troubling matter. But then, he started speaking. “For a while now. It’s not regular, but it happens occasionally, sometimes in the cafeteria, sometimes in the training field. Actually since her father had been elected the school’s principal.” I sharply turned to look at him. “And how many years is that?” “Five years.” My tongue tasted something bitter and bland. She has been bullied for five years? How had the father stayed unaware all this time? How had no one thought to slither the piece of information to Mr Lethon? Did they hate him an
There was laughter everywhere in the cafeteria. The matrons serving the food said and did nothing. Sinclair sighed in exasperation. I wasn’t sure of Raul’s reaction to his sister’s bullying. I didn’t look. No. I was already transported in time to the cafeteria back at the pack.I was transported to the past, to the particular time when Noah had poured milk on me; to the time when Daniel had joined them; to the time when the entire student populace, or most, had joined them in throwing food at me; to the time when the matrons had done nothing to help me; until Noami had run and called the principal. My fists clenched, while watching the girl sniff. She was about to cry.I didn’t know when I moved, didn’t care to know how I had gotten in front of Rachel in less than two seconds.I grabbed her by the neck and pulled her out of the chair. “Don’t dare use your magic on me, or you are gone, Rachel.” I said when I saw her hand twitching. It was a gamble. A very risky one, knowing th